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One of the key problems of our biology is that over time we have developed a larger and larger brain and skull without having the opportunity to beef up the means of support. Our marvelous brains are sitting on top of a spindly neck. Our biology has similarly geared us to navigate at three miles per hour or less, and made no provision for us to survive impacts in rigid automobiles at higher speeds. We are very susceptible to whiplash because there is no good way for us to buffer the brainstem from the consequences of our heads being tossed wildly back and forth in a collision.
The brainstem happens to be where we organize our most basic functions, such as our arousal level. Attempts have been made to model the consequences of head injury in terms of axonal shearing. But that is not necessary to take neurons out of action. All that is necessary is for their function to be perturbed in even minor ways, and then they will no longer play well in the neuronal symphony. |
Working memory refers to the ability to hold various aspects of a problem in consciousness simultaneously in order to work out relationships between them. It turns out that the means by which the brain accomplishes this is most likely similar to other situations in which different aspects of our experience or our actions need to be brought into relationship. The difference is that when it comes to working memory, we can shine a bit of light on the process because we are aware of it taking place. In working memory we get to witness the brain at work in regulating its own affairs. The process is a bit like Tiger Woods bouncing his golf ball continuously on his club. Inevitably the point is reached where the ball drops to the ground. Similarly, over time a given mental construct falls apart and dissipates, just as other mental constructs take its place. The meditator tries to gain some control over this process, but it’s a long and steep learning curve.
With Neurofeedback / EEG Biofeedback we can influence working memory as well, but we do so with a general technique rather than a specific one. We seek improved brain self-regulation in general, and with success in that venture we may also see improved working memory. There is no specific technique at this point for systematically achieving that narrower goal, and we doubt that one can be found. Good working memory is a feature of a well-tempered brain, and to achieve the former we must strive for the latter.
Worry is part of the anxiety spectrum, and in fact we see worry as the province largely of the left hemisphere. As a left hemisphere phenomenon, worry has more of a rational and cognitive dimension than right hemisphere anxiety, which has more to do with fear and dread. It also has more of a prospective or planning dimension, which is also the burden of the left hemisphere. It also has a “lexical” aspect, in that we are typically able to articulate worry and know what it is about. Worry is usually connected with an identifiable object. By contrast right hemisphere anxiety can be diffuse and amorphous, a kind of pervasive and persistent state of oppressive and intolerable “Angst.” In any event, brain training with a left frontal or pre-frontal bias can be very helpful if worry is a persistent or pervasive problem. By extension, right hemisphere training is more appropriate for fear and for morbid dread.
Related Research: Anxiety & PTSD
Therapeutic Applications: Anxiety
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